Blogroll

After a disasterous start in La Liga, the current title holders, Real Madrid, have found themselves up against a wall, struggling to win any matches in the domestic competition. Despite all that, Zinedine Zidane is still trying to keep everyone calm and convince them that this poor period is just a temporary phase. But, since it has lasted much longer than expected, many Real Madrid fans lost their patience and are already ranting for Zidane’s resignation, despite everything he achieved with this club in the past two years. Apart from them, Real Madrid’s president, Florentino Perez, also seems to be pretty sceptic about the French coach’s promises, since the Los Merengues have had a huge downfall and haven’t been able to come back up in form yet. This might have an effect on Real Madrid’s standing on bookies but surely you can look in this oddschecker at William Hill football to make sure you’ll have the right calculations on the upcoming matches.

All of this has triggered a lot of media to write about possible major changes in the Galacticos’ roster. The most imposing titles were the ones about the five times Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo leaving Real and going back to his former club, Manchester United. The 32-year-old Portuguese received the title for the best football player of 2017 recently, but hasn’t managed to live up to the expectations after getting the award, as he was as well pretty harshly criticized by the fans. This rumour has been swiftly shut down by Zinedine Zidane on today’s press conference:

“I’m not worried. I know you have to write about all kinds of stuff, but Cristiano only thinks about playing football, just like always. I can not imagine Real Madrid without Ronaldo.”

“This is his club and he should stay here. The club, the fans and everyone else loves him. I always say the same things about Ronaldo, but I just can’t imagine Real without him.”

Judging by the statistics, Real Madrid’s offense is in a catastrophic form, with not even a single player scoring over five goals in La Liga. It is widely known that Real Madrid have been keeping an eye on Inter Milan’s captain and superstar Mauro Icardi for a long time, considering him as a possible replacement for the French veteran Karim Benzema. According to some newest sources, Icardi is most definitely leaving the Italian side for Real this year, and it’s only uncertain will the move manifest this winter, or in the summer transfer window.

Apart from Mauro Icardi, there have been talks about some signings from the English Premier League as well. The ones that have been mentioned the most were Harry Kane, Eden Hazard and Raheem Sterling. Even it seems a bit crazy, most of these players could actually make a move to Real Madrid, since the Los Blancos sold many of their players and haven’t spent much money on buying superstars in a long time, at least for their standards.

The two best football teams in Spain, Barcelona and Real Madrid were held by their rivals. Barcelona entertained 10th placed Celta de Vigo at Camp Nou in their 14th match of the 2017/18 season. Celta de Vigo took the lead inside 20 minutes of the first half through Iago Aspas. The visitor’s lead only lasted for two minutes when Argentine superstar Lionel Messi levelled matters in the 22nd minute. For the rest of the first half, the match remained balanced with both sides failing to capitalize their chances. Barcelona finally found a breakthrough in the second half. Luis Suarez, the soccerstar who is more controversial than real money internet casinos added to the goal tally to make it 2-1 on 62 minutes. You can visit www.puntcasino.co.za for more information.

Celta de Vigo equalized after eight minutes when the Catalan defence was caught napping by Gomez in the 70th minute. The match ended a 2-all-draw, however, Barcelona remains unbeaten in La Liga. Meanwhile, Real Madrid was supposed to close in the gap on Barcelona after dropping points. The Los Blancos is failing to find the superb form from last season. Real Madrid was away to Athletic Club and the match ended in a nil-all stalemate. The Los Blancos remains on number four on the log with 28 points, eight points behind the log leaders Barcelona.

Athletico Madrid won 2-1 over Real Sociedad. Real Sociedad got its goal from a spot kick converted by Willian Jose on 29 minutes and this upset many real money online casino fans. Athletico Madrid equalized in the 63 minute through Filipe Luis and Griezmann scored a late winning goal on 88 minutes.

Second-placed Valencia had a match away against Getafe. Valencia got a shocking 1-0 defeat. Getafe’s goal came in the 66th minute through Bergara. Fifth-placed Sevilla got a convincing 2-0 win over struggling Deportivp La Coruna at home. Ben Yedder put the home team in front on 46 minutes and Krohn-Dehli added another goal on 78 minutes.

La Liga returned after an international break with some exciting matches. On Friday night Leganés welcomed Getafe. The visitors opened up scoring in the 39th minute through Arambarri. Leganés searched for an equalizer and the breakthrough came in 65 minutes of play when Guerrero levelled for the home team. Both teams searched for a winner and the visitors finally claimed all three points with a winning goal from Alvaro Jiménez in the 83rd minute to make it 2-1.

Real Madrid hosted Levante in a tricky encounter at Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday afternoon. Los Blancos are still yet to clean up their firing cylinders this season. The visiting team went in front just after 12 minutes of play through Ivi Lopez. Karim Benzema got injured and limped off the field on 28 minutes. Real Madrid then responded with a goal from Lucas Vas Vázquez in the 35th minute. It seems like the defending champions are missing their main man Christiano Ronaldo who is serving a five-match ban. And many online casino players and gamblers have lost a lot of money because of the stars red-card. Gareth Bale had so many chances but he was wasteful as he missed two clear chances to put Real Madrid in front. Both teams shared spoils with a 1-1 draw. Zinedine Zidane’s side has drawn two consecutive games and has had only one win in three league games.

Meanwhile later that day, Real Madrid’s rivals Barcelona clashed against Espanyol at the Nou Camp. The Catalan giant thrashed the visiting team 5-0 as Lionel Messi scored a hat trick. Barcelona’s new record signing Ousmane Dembele came off the bench to assist a late Luis Suarez goal, Gerard Pique also scored and some people who bet on Gerard on internet gambling services walked away with lots of winnings. Lionel Messi put Barcelona in front after 26 minutes of play and another goal in the 35th minute. He finally grabbed his hat trick in the second half on 67 minutes. Barcelona was not yet done with scoring, Luis Pique headed towards the goal in the 87th minute. A quick counter attack from the Catalan saw a good combination between Dembele and Suarez resulting in goal on 90 minutes.

It has been a curious summer at Real Madrid with the European Champions seemingly thwarted in their on/off pursuit in Monaco starlet Kylian Mbappé. One has to wonder how committed they actually were because it is rare for them not to get their man – and spend world record sums to secure their targets. While no doubt a wonderfully talented forward, Real already have the ever effective Karim Benzema set to lead the line, and that seems more than good enough for manager Zinedine Zidane given he has Bale and of course Ronaldo in support.

Yet Real Madrid supports – and I’m sure they agree – are perhaps the most entitled in the world, with every season demanding at least one of La Liga or the Champions League. Being competitive alone isn’t enough – they expect their Galácticos to deliver resounding victories every game. Naturally, even for a coach who is also a club legend and so far is demonstrably a world class performer from the sidelines, the pressure has been mounting in some sections of the supporters who feel that this summer’s transfer dealings have raised more questions than they’ve answered. Here’s a run through of the major issues.

Morata & Offensive Choices

The Spanish forward was a key figure over the course of last season, even though paradoxically he was only primarily used as an impact striker with a knack for snatching those essential goals. Chelsea snatched his signature from under Man Utd’s nose for a club record €62m, and with no other forward being signed so far it may only take for an injury or two to seriously disrupt their cutting edge on the attack. The matter is further complicated by Zidane also packing James Rodriguez off Bayern Munich on an expensive loan, as well as the sale of 4th choice forward Mariano Díaz to Lyon for a fee believed to be around €8m.

All of this makes the supporter’s attitude to Gareth Bale even more peculiar. Despite scoring at the rate of over a goal every other game from the wing, and a number of outstanding performances in several big matches, there seems to now be an objectively unfair feeling that the Welshman is a flat track bully. Bale himself wishes to stay but the Bernabéu can be an unforgiving place for when the fans decide a star has waned. Manchester United are reportedly monitoring the situation, but with the two clubs having been embroiled in years of struggle over the future of David de Gea a move is unlikely this summer.

But if Bale also leaves Real are going to be seriously short of offensive players. Truly world class forwards are a precious commodity at the moment, and it is difficult to see an obvious candidate especially as it looks like Mbappé will be settling on a move to Paris instead of Spain.

Questionable New Signings?

So we can certainly see why some Real Madrid supporters may be a little concerned at the seemingly hesitant transfer policy this year. It honestly looks a little rash, but this being Madrid we should know all too well that events are about as predictable as WildJack’s online casino games!

Real Madrid began their La Liga title defence with a 3-0 victory over Deportivo La Coruna.

Gareth Bale scored and Sergio Ramos saw red card as Real Madrid swept to a confident 3-0 away victory over Deportivo La Coruna to open their LaLiga title defence.

Zinedine Zidane called for big year from Bale ahead of the match and the Wales international responded by scoring Madrid’s opening league goal of the season for a third consecutive campaign.

Casemiro, in with Bale as two of four changes from the Supercopa de Espana second-leg victory over Barcelona, added to his UEFA Super Cup goal against Manchester United by capping a brilliant Madrid passing move to double the visitors’ lead.

Ramos was fortunate not to be sent off for putting his hand to the face of Depor defender Fabian Schar after the break, but the captain was perhaps unlucky to receive a second yellow card in stoppage time.

Toni Kroos’ deflected strike had already sealed an impressive victory, which came without suspended star Cristiano Ronaldo and was capped by Florin Andone’s late penalty miss, ensuring Madrid went straight to the top of the table after title rivals Barca defeated Real Betis 2-0 at home earlier on Sunday.

Madrid have now won 13 of their last 14 league games against Depor as they bid to win back-to-back LaLiga titles for the first time since 2008.

Andone, linked with a Deportivo exit, failed to convert two excellent early chances. The striker created the first himself, battling past Dani Carvajal, who claimed for a foul, and forcing Keylor Navas into a good diving save from a tight angle.

Andone then missed an even better opportunity, racing through on goal in oceans of space after Juanfran’s througball, but failing to beat Navas as the Madrid goalkeeper again got down to deny him.

Those squandered chances proved costly when Madrid moved ahead in the 20th minute. Luka Modric’s shot from 20 yards was poorly dealt with by Depor goalkeeper Ruben Martinez, with Karim Benzema’s touch on the rebound allowing Bale to slam in the simplest of finishes from two yards.

Seven minutes later, Madrid doubled their lead with another close-range finish, but this time it capped a magnificent move that saw Madrid complete 44 passes before Casemiro tapped in after Marcelo worked space against Juanfran and delivered a threatening low cross.

Ramos had a lucky escape early in the second half when he was only shown a yellow card for raising his hand to the face of Schar, who was also booked, as the pair argued over whether Madrid should have kicked the ball out of play while Zakaria Bakkali was down injured.

Depor’s frustration grew when the Madrid captain then made a crucial goal-line clearance to keep out Andone’s impressive header from Bruno Gama’s cross.

And the visitors ended the game as a contest after 62 minutes, another swift passing sequence resulting in Bale setting up Kroos to fire in from 18 yards, with the aid of a deflection off Schar.

The hosts almost got one back when Guilherme turned in the box and fired a powerful effort against the crossbar.

Depor had an even better chance to end the match with a goal after being awarded an 89th-minute spot-kick when Carvajal took out Gama from behind, but Andone produced a dreadful effort that looked to be drifting off target before Navas got a faint touch to make sure he claimed a clean sheet.

But there was some frustration for Zidane, with Ramos, who had been fortunate earlier, dismissed in the second minute of added time after catching substitute Borja Valle with an arm in an aerial duel.

Even without Cristiano, Real Madrid easily completed a Supercopa de Espana triumph over Barcelona.

A ruthless first-half performance ended any hope of a Barcelona comeback in the Supercopa de Espana, the Catalans falling to a 2-0 second-leg defeat to lose 5-1 on aggregate against Madrid.

Marco Asensio wasted no time as he spectacularly fired the home side in front after four minutes on Wednesday, with Madrid dominating a team still adapting to life after Neymar.

Barca found goal-scoring opportunities hard to come by and Karim Benzema outwitted Samuel Umtiti to double Madrid’s lead on the night shortly before half-time at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The headlines after the first leg were dominated by Cristiano Ronaldo’s dramatic cameo, which culminated in a five-match ban following his petulant shove on the referee, but this was a thoroughly professional job from the European champions.

Barcelona improved after the interval – Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez both hit the woodwork – but their Neymar-less future remains a concerning work in progress for new boss Ernesto Valverde, as the club continue their pursuit of a suitable and – on this evidence – much-needed replacement. Those efforts may take on greater urgency after Suarez appeared to hobble through the closing stages.

With Ronaldo suspended and Gareth Bale and Isco on the bench, Lucas Vazquez and Asensio were selected to flank Benzema in attack, and the latter picked up where he left off at the end of Sunday’s first leg.

Having hammered home Madrid’s third from the edge of the box at Camp Nou, it took Asensio just four minutes to beat Marc-Andre ter Stegen from even further out in Madrid, firing in a wonderful 25-yard strike that left the German goalkeeper flat-footed.

While Madrid’s tweaked attacking trident made a flying start, the missing ‘N’ in Barcelona’s ‘MSN’ forward line was glaringly obvious after 10 minutes.

Valverde opted for a new-look 3-5-2 formation and Suarez perhaps forgot he was shorn of an attacking comrade when he squared for nobody in the box.

Keen to match the efforts of his colleague on the opposite flank, Vazquez curled a shot against the inside of the left-hand post shortly after the half-hour mark, as Barca struggled to create chances for Suarez and Messi.

Madrid netted their deserved second seven minutes from the break.

Benzema’s quick-thinking exposed Umtiti’s laboured defending and the striker latched on to a Marcelo ball into the box to smash home from close range.

Keylor Navas – making his 100th Madrid appearance – did not have a save to make in the first half, but he showed good reactions to get down and intercept a Suarez cutback early in the second.

Barca were showing signs of life and Messi saw an effort crash off the underside of the crossbar before Suarez went close with two headers – the second bouncing off the foot of the post after Navas had parried a fierce Messi drive.

But Madrid were comfortable with their four-goal aggregate advantage, and Barca’s mini-recovery proved fruitless on a night when they were outplayed by their fiercest rivals for the most part.

Real Madrid destroyed Barcelona 3-1 in the Supercopa de España first leg thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo’s and Asensio’s wondergoals.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a stunning winner before being sent off for a dive in Real Madrid’s Supercopa de Espana first-leg win over Barca.

The Portugal star came off the bench to blast home the third goal of the visitors’ 3-1 win at Camp Nou but earned a second yellow card for going to ground in the penalty area two minutes later, having earlier been booked for taking his shirt off in celebration.

Zinedine Zidane’s side took the lead early in the second half through an own goal from Gerard Pique but Barca levelled thanks to Lionel Messi’s penalty, which was won in controversial fashion by Luis Suarez.

Ronaldo put Madrid back ahead with a spectacular strike but was dismissed within two minutes of that goal and risked further punishment when he pushed the referee in the back before departing the field.

Barca pushed for a second equaliser late on but were undone by Marco Asensio’s brilliant strike on the break, meaning they have it all to do at the Santiago Bernabeu next Wednesday in the first Supercopa tie between these sides since 2012.

Barca had the upper hand in the early exchanges, with Suarez testing Keylor Navas from just inside the area and Dani Carvajal was perhaps fortunate to escape being penalised for handball when blocking Gerard Deulofeu’s cross.

Neither side looked prepared to commit to the attack in a rather tepid first half and Gareth Bale saw the clearest chance saved by Marc-Andre ter Stegen from inside the penalty area following Isco’s jinking run.

Pique – who scored the winner when these teams met in the International Champions Cup last month – had been booked for attempting to punch the ball towards goal following a corner in the first half and it was another moment of ignominy for the centre-back that gave Madrid the lead five minutes after the break.

Marcelo ran onto Isco’s pass down the left and sent a low cross into box, and Pique steered the ball into his own net on the slide as he attempted to clear it for a corner.

Barca suddenly looked unsteady at the back and it took a brilliant sliding block from Jordi Alba to prevent Carvajal from making it 2-0 after some brilliant work from Karim Benzema.

Valverde introduced Denis Suarez from the bench and the move almost paid off immediately, the midfielder’s corner headed goalwards by Luis Suarez only for Navas to make a fine one-handed save.

Ronaldo, on in place of Benzema, had a shot blocked behind by Pique and the assistant referee’s raised flag denied him when he did find the net following Casemiro’s throughball.

The 32-year-old took full advantage of his next chance, though, playing a one-two with Isco to set up a counter-attack before cutting inside Pique and firing into the top-right corner from 20 yards.

Ronaldo was booked for removing his shirt and then stunningly dismissed after being adjudged to have gone to ground too easily in the area under pressure from Samuel Umtiti.

But the incident could not prevent Madrid seizing control of the tie, Asensio rifling home an unstoppable third from the edge of the area to get watching president Florentino Perez onto his feet.

Real Madrid claimed the UEFA Super Cup with a 2-1 victory over Manchester United in Skopje, Macedonia on Tuesday.

Goals from Casemiro and Isco secured a fully-deserved triumph for the Champions League holders, who have now won the trophy three times since 2014.

Romelu Lukaku halved the deficit on his competitive debut, but the Europa League winners looked well short of matching Madrid for much of the encounter in a hot and humid Philip II Arena, where drinks breaks were required.

United beat Madrid on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the International Champions Cup last month, but they were second best for the majority against Zinedine Zidane’s side, for whom Gareth Bale started and Cristiano Ronaldo made a late cameo appearance as a substitute.

Jose Mourinho handed first competitive starts to Lukaku, Nemanja Matic and Victor Lindelof, but it looked unlikely that he would celebrate a win over his old club from the moment Casemiro broke the deadlock after 24 minutes.

Isco’s superb second put Madrid in control in the second half and, although Lukaku gave United some hope of a comeback, Zidane’s side held firm to win their sixth trophy since the Frenchman took charge last January.

United looked the more settled in the early exchanges, but it was Madrid who came closest to breaking the deadlock, with Bale – heavily linked with the Red Devils of late – prodding a volley over from six yards before Casemiro rattled the crossbar from a Toni Kroos corner.

Madrid were slowly taking control of proceedings and they made the most of their superiority – and a debatable offside decision – after 24 minutes.

Dani Carvajal, given far too much space 30 yards from goal, clipped a fine pass into Casemiro’s path and the Brazilian steered a fine first-time finish into the bottom-right corner from 12 yards out, although replays showed he had strayed just beyond the United defence too early.

David de Gea saved well from a low Karim Benzema effort, as Madrid looked content to sit back and hit United on the break towards the end of the half, with Mourinho’s men unable to fashion any service for Lukaku aside from a deep cross that he headed straight at Keylor Navas.

Mourinho introduced Marcus Rashford for Jesse Lingard at half-time, but Madrid threatened a second more or less from kick-off, with De Gea making a terrific one-handed save to keep out Kroos’ rasping effort from 20 yards.

But De Gea was helpless against Isco after 52 minutes, the Spain international playing a simple one-two with Bale that carved the United defence in two before slotting the ball beneath the goalkeeper and into the net.

United responded immediately with their best chance of the match, Paul Pogba’s header bringing a fine reaction save out of Navas before Lukaku, who was offside, blasted over the crossbar on the rebound with the goal gaping.

Bale hit a shot off the underside of the bar as Madrid pushed confidently forward, but Lukaku grabbed a lifeline for United when he tapped home after Navas parried Matic’s shot straight into his path.

Navas made a brilliant stop to deny Rashford one-on-one before De Gea made a stunning save to keep out Marco Asensio’s effort, but Madrid held firm in seven minutes of stoppage time to claim the trophy and lay down a marker to the continent.

The Wales international was forced out of Tuesday’s training session because of an ankle complaint, but his coach played down its severity.

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane insists that he is not worried about Gareth Bale’s fitness after the Wales star picked up a knock in training.

Bale was seen departing Madrid’s session at Soldier Field on Tuesday with obvious discomfort in his right ankle.

The 28-year-old missed long spells of last season with calf and ankle problems and the latest worry prompted concern among supporters on social media, with the UEFA Super Cup clash with Manchester United just a week away.

However, Zidane is confident that Bale has been showing encouraging signs both in terms of fitness and form during pre-season.

“He looks good to me, little by little,” he told a news conference ahead of Madrid’s clash with an MLS All-Star team on Wednesday. “He’s had a long injury.

“The pre-season has been very good since the beginning. I’m not worried about his performance, because the whole team has had good moments and not as good moments.”